Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Accomplishment Summaries 

Florida
All projects met objective two to assess and improve the performance of PPE and protective clothing for first responders, healthcare workers, and tactical athletes.

Georgia
Our efforts focus on developing technologies that integrate seamlessly with the human body to track motion, monitor physiological parameters, and assist with heavy-load compensation in occupational and rehabilitation settings. As part of this initiative, our team has developed stretchable fiber optic sensors capable of maintaining high sensitivity and accuracy on the foot pressure even under extreme environmental conditions, such as high humidity and strong electromagnetic interference. Our research on passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors has led to the development of fully battery-free wearable systems for continuous motion tracking, such as head orientation. In addition to sensor development, we have conducted a thorough review on passive exosuits based on elastic textiles designed to modulate musculoskeletal loads and reduce fatigue among individuals performing physically demanding tasks.

Hawaii

Continued to presentations to local communities and work on ECG application and improvement for Male and female firefighters. Developing costume and home mask for personal protective equipment improvement and solutions for local community especially preparations any uncertain time. Developing smart textiles applications (integrated technology that can sense, respond, and adapt to users and their environment) to improve health, living environments, and human performance.

Kansas

The work done by the KS group has been centered on objectives 1 & 2. Specifically,

Turning last year’s insights into tangible designs (Objectives 1 & 2). This year, Kansas converted the insights learned in previous year into the third round of designs and physical innovative female‑specific turnout gear prototypes (coat and pants) that directly target known problem areas (mobility at the shoulders/hips, rise/length balance, and thermal comfort). We also completed a systematic literature review and a market landscape scan, creating practical reference packages the team and industry can use to guide design choices and purchasing.

Sizing, fit, and inclusivity groundwork (Objective 2: Aims 1–3). With Colorado, Kansas validated a machine‑learning pipeline for analyzing large 3D body‑scan datasets and began comparing firefighter body shapes to the general population to inform sizing systems. We examined body asymmetry and its links to hand dominance and demographics, highlighting why separate pattern blocks and adjustment options are needed for women. These steps prepare us to propose sizing/fit guidelines and refine our prototypes for broader testing.

Foundation for smart and advanced PPE, plus broader impact (Objectives 1 & 2). Kansas proposed to visit Oklahoma to use their 4D body scanning and advanced textiles evaluation equipment/expertise to address movement‑related fit and heat stress – key prerequisites for integrating future textile‑based sensing solutions. With support from North Carolina, Kansas developed an NSF proposal in 2025 to acquire funding to support multi‑site testing and evaluation of the female‑specific designs. Additionally, beyond firefighting, Kansas built racing‑suit prototypes and completed a beekeeper‑PPE market scan, expanding our approach to other underserved users where fit, heat, and protection are critical.

Mississippi

MSU researchers developed a range of innovative, health-focused smart textile systems:

A modular adaptive pant system for diabetics with mobility disabilities featuring sustainable materials and an integrated urinalysis system for kidney condition monitoring.

A smart T-shirt for para-athletes with spinal cord injuries, utilizing washable fabric-based electrodes to track muscle activity and prevent fatigue-related injuries during adaptive sports.

Biodegradable conductive smart textiles for self-charging PPE sensors that enable vital sign and motion monitoring while addressing sustainability challenges in the industry.

A Smart Proprioceptive Textile Layer (SPTL) prototype designed with NASA to enhance astronaut performance and safety through textile-embedded electromyography sensors.

A multi-sensor smart performance wear solution that integrates sEMG, IMU, temperature sensors, and phase-change materials to assess fatigue and prevent injury via real-time machine-learning analysis.

A smart safety PPE system incorporating dual protective layers—an aluminum-treated, heat-reflective outer shell and a breathable cotton mesh inner layer—to improve thermal comfort and injury prevention.

A cotton-based sustainability and education initiative transforming classroom and industry cotton waste into high-performance healthcare materials, linking innovation, environmental stewardship, and student training.

These accomplishments advance wearable health monitoring, occupational safety, and sustainable materials education, positioning MSU as a leader in integrating smart textile technology with human health and environmental goals.

Minnesota
Enhancing Safety and Fit for Protective Gloves & Equipment
As part of our mission to ensure safer protective gear, the UMN team collaborated with researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) on dedicated firefighter (FF) glove research. The partnership focused on collecting 3D hand anthropometric data—highly precise, three-dimensional measurements—from over 200 firefighters and improving glove fit and sizing. This extensive dataset is crucial for understanding the diversity of hand shapes and sizes within the firefighting community, providing the foundation needed to develop gloves that are not only compliant with safety standards but also truly fit, improving performance and comfort on the job.

Ill-fitting firefighter gloves pose a serious safety risk and negatively impact job performance. Our research systematically evaluated the sizing of manufactured gloves from five major brands using 3D scanning technology to determine if they accurately followed official standards. We discovered pervasive inconsistencies in sizing across all brands, including irregular size progression and significant overlaps between different sizes. This study demonstrates a fundamental disconnect between the intended sizing logic and the actual manufactured product, highlighting the need for an integrated approach that ties glove sizing development directly to manufacturing realities to achieve reliable and inclusive fit outcomes.

The UMN team used advanced medical CT scanning to look inside five brands of firefighting gloves to precisely measure the "air gap"—the space between the outer protective layer and the inner layer. By capturing both the interior and exterior dimensions, we identified sources of interference that limit a firefighter's hand performance and dexterity, with these issues being most pronounced in the fingertip region. The research underscores the need for manufacturers to fix disparities between the inner and outer glove patterns, ensuring the layers align better at the hand's web area and stay closer at the fingertips. This precision research is vital for creating gloves that offer better functional improvement and safety.

Revolutionizing Gear Design with 3D Technology and Software Development
The UMN team is transforming how protective equipment (PPE) is designed by harnessing the power of three-dimensional (3D) body scanning. Our team collected precise 3D anthropometric hand data from over 1,000 workers, encompassing 173 different measurements, and integrated this information into new software tools. This innovation provides immediate feedback to designers, allowing them to quickly adapt gear for maximum fit accommodation. For instance, initial testing of this software plug-in on one PPE device successfully increased fit reliability from 15% to 97% accommodation for the target population. Additionally, we developed a rapid, 24-hour digital process using 3D face scans to create custom mask components, which dramatically improves fit, function, and comfort for wearers with hard-to-fit faces in medical and military settings.

Improving Predictability for Face Mask Safety
UMN work significantly advances mask safety by improving how we predict if a mask will provide adequate protection. The UMN team demonstrated that using detailed, specific elements of a wearer's 3D face shape is far more accurate for predicting a proper seal (fit) than relying on traditional length and width measurements. By identifying critical geometric features, such as the precise shape of the nose slope, our models can effectively predict mask performance with fewer variables. This discovery allows for the development of more effective respirator designs, helping to improve safety protocols and better protect workers across healthcare, emergency services, and other critical industries.

New York
Park’s lab developed a wearable core body temperature prediction system which can be worn as undershirts. The prototype shirt is capable of measuring skin temperature and heart rate, to predict core body temperature which has been known as the most reliable predictor of cardiovascular and thermal regulatory malfunction.

Park’s lab has also developed new designs of firefighters’ PPE, addressing gender specific design issues and size increments. With an external grant sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Park’s lab provided the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) with constructive feedback on the latest version of NFPA1971 Standards and developing new designs of firefighters’ PPE. Considering the growing concern of PFAS containing flame retardant fabrics, Park’s team is prototyping new designs using PFAS free flame retardant fabrics for improved safety for firefighters.

Maternity PPE coveralls are indispensable tools for safeguarding the health and well-being of pregnant women in the workplace. Baytar’s lab focused on developing patterns for changing bodies while keeping the production costs of disposable coveralls used in occupations with contamination risks at a minimum. In the first phase of the design research, a comparative design analysis of the existing coveralls and maternity wear was conducted, and initial designs were developed. Additionally, the efficiency of 3D digital design technologies in developing products and evaluating fit was actively investigated, and methods were developed.

North Carolina
We validated the use of a mobile body-scanning app for taking body measurements of U.S. female firefighters, indicating that the app could be a reliable tool for designing better-fitting protective clothing. We compared the measurements from the mobile app with those from a high-accuracy stationary body scanner, which is considered the industry standard. We have expanded this project nationwide, so female firefighters across the country can scan themselves and share their body data to help improve gear design.

Working with protective clothing manufacturers, we developed the first iteration of female design patterns using anthropometric data we collected, for turnout jackets, wildland shirts, and pants for both structural and wildland firefighting activities.

Oklahoma
Partially developed TASL at OSU to evaluate the protective and comfort performance of fabrics. Published 5 journal papers in the field of protective textiles and clothing. Submitted 2 journal papers and 4 book chapters. Presented 6 abstracts in national and international conferences. Working on 2 edited books with NC-170 members.

Washington
We have developed 3D printed sensors for motion detection and strain sensing, adopting unique printing patterns and fabric structures. The printed fabrics have great potential in multiple applications for smart wearables.

Unique Project-Related Findings 

Florida
Analysis validated the use of remote 3D body scanning applications for collecting geographically spread, population specific anthropometric data. Published studies demonstrated women in the fire service significantly differ from the U.S. general female population in terms of body measurements that are essential for PPE fit. Therefore, women’s PPC should be designed based on population specific anthropometrics.

Georgia
N/A

Hawaii
N/A

Kansas

 A systematic review and market scan confirmed that most brands still rely on unisex or male‑patterned turnout gear, a practice linked to persistent fit, comfort, and performance problems for female firefighters.

  Our early analytic work indicates that validated ML tools can reliably process large 3D body‑scan datasets, enabling scalable, evidence‑based sizing and pattern development.

 Body asymmetry patterns observed in scans appear related to hand dominance and select demographics, reinforcing the need for pattern options that accommodate asymmetry rather than forcing “average” symmetry.

 Lessons from firefighting translate to other high‑risk jobs: fit, mobility, and heat‑stress management also surfaced as top concerns in racing and beekeeping PPE, suggesting cross‑sector design opportunities.

Mississippi

MSU researchers discovered that textile-based systems can successfully integrate physiological and environmental sensing technologies while maintaining comfort, wearability, and sustainability. The development of biodegradable conductive smart textiles demonstrated that natural fibers and biopolymers can provide effective sensing and self-charging capabilities for health and PPE applications without relying on nonrenewable materials. The incorporation of fabric-based electrodes and urinalysis sensors within wearable garments—such as adaptive pants and T-shirts—proved feasible for real-time health monitoring, including detection of kidney conditions and neuromuscular fatigue. The Smart Proprioceptive Textile Layer (SPTL) concept, designed in collaboration with NASA, revealed that small-scale textile-embedded electromyography sensors could enhance motion control and endurance for astronauts during extravehicular activity. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of smart textiles to merge biomedical functionality, environmental responsibility, and advanced material performance.

Minnesota
Pervasive Sizing Inconsistencies in Firefighter Gloves: Systematic 3D scanning of manufactured gloves from five major brands revealed pervasive inconsistencies in sizing, including irregular size progression and significant overlaps between different sizes, indicating a fundamental disconnect between intended sizing logic and the actual manufactured product.

Identification of Dexterity-Limiting "Air Gaps" via CT Scanning: Advanced medical CT scanning of firefighter gloves precisely measured the "air gap" between layers, identifying that interference issues, which limit performance and dexterity, are most pronounced in the fingertip region.

Software Plug-in Demonstrates Massive Fit Improvement: Developed a software tool integrated with precise 3D anthropometric data (from over 1,000 workers) that, in initial testing on one PPE device, increased fit reliability from 15% to 97% accommodation for the target population.

Rapid, Custom Mask Component Creation: Developed a rapid, 24-hour digital process using 3D face scans to create custom mask components, specifically targeting improved fit, function, and comfort for wearers with hard-to-fit faces.

3D Face Shape is Superior Predictor of Mask Seal: Demonstrated that using detailed, specific elements of a wearer's 3D face shape (e.g., nose slope) is far more accurate for predicting a proper mask seal (fit) than relying on traditional 2D length and width measurements.

New York
A combination of heart rate and skin temperature on the torso was found to be an effective predictor of core body temperature, which has been known as the most reliable predictor of heat stress and cardiovascular malfunction, the leading cause of firefighters' fatalities.

North Carolina
U.S. female firefighters are, on average, 6.7 cm taller than the general U.S. female population and tend to have wider waists and hips. The height difference is mainly attributed to longer leg inseam length, center back waist length, and crotch height.

The standard size charts provided by NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and Urban Interface Fire Fighting, contain notable discrepancies when compared to U.S. female firefighters’ anthropometry, particularly in lower torso measurements. For front rise length, only 4.3% of participants fell within the NFPA 1977 size range. The sizing system also fails to accommodate female firefighters with larger waist and hip measurements (about 48.7%), due to poor correlation between these dimensions. Moreover, rise sizes showed inconsistent and weak relationships with hip circumference, resulting in 30% to 98.9% of participants unable to find a standard size that represents the proportional relationship between these two body regions.

Oklahoma
PAH contamination on protective clothing. Development of light-weight materials for protection.

Washington
We have furthered our understanding of the various factors that affect the properties of side-by-side fibers and utilized novel materials for conductive fiber production. For 3D printing, we investigated the influences of printing material, printing process, and fabric substrate on printed fabric performance and developed 3D printed fabrics with reliable sensing performance, washability, and durability.

Published Written Works 

Florida

Tindall, S., McQuerry, M., & Bolaji, J. (invited; under review, 2025). A review of textile hydrogel integration in firefighting personal protective clothing. Polymers; Special Issue: Technical Textile Science and Technology. (14 pages).

 Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (under review). Assessing 3D mobile scanning applications for female firefighter anthropometric measurements. Applied Ergonomics. (28 pages).

 Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (under review). The suitability of personal protective clothing sizing standards for U.S. structural female firefighters. Fire Safety Journal. (14 pages).

 Chen, K., Dardaman, S., Siebert, P., McQuerry, M., & Yentes, J. (under review). The effect of gender, service type, and sizing measurements on firefighters’ perceptions of turnout gear fit and movement restriction. Safety Science. (35 pages).

 Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (Invited; 2025). Assessing standard sizing chart effectiveness for U.S. female wildland firefighters: a contingency table analysis. Fire. 8(7), 270, DOI: 10.3390/fire8070270

 Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). U.S. female firefighter anthropometric versus wildland firefighting protective clothing sizing standards. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 1-13, DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2025.2492947 (Impact: 1.6)

 Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). A comparative anthropometric analysis of U.S. female firefighters versus the general female population. Journal of Safety Research, 93, 206-213, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2025.02.021 (Impact: 3.9)

 Bolaji, J. & McQuerry, M. (2024). Impact of self-contained breathing apparatus on air gaps in structural firefighting personal protective clothing. Applied Sciences. Special Issue: Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications, 15(6), 1-11, DOI: 10.3390/app15010006 (Impact: 2.5)

 Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (June 2025). Assessing full-body measurement accuracy of a remote body scanner to enhance PPE fit for U.S. female firefighters. In: Duffy, V.G. (eds) Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management, 233-249. HCII 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 15792. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-93505-3_15

 (Invited) McQuerry, M., Kwon, C., Qiu, Z., & Bolaji, J. (2025). Why Female Firefighting PPE Isn’t a Luxury - It’s a Lifeline. Crackyl Magazine. Special Issue: Women of Fire. Vol. 1 (16-17) https://www.crackyl.com/magazines/women-of-fire-vol-no-1/

 Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). Sizing up the gear: Lessons learned about female firefighter PPE fit. Fire Engineering/Firefighter Nation. https://www.firefighternation.com/lifestyle/firefighter-equipment/sizing-up-the-gear-lessons-learned-about-female-firefighter-ppe-fit/

 Georgia

 Jo, J., Kong, D., & Park, H. T. (2025). Elastomeric Fiber Optic-Embedded Gait Monitoring Insole. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal.

Talukder, A., & Jo, J. (2025). Elastic textile-based wearable modulation of musculoskeletal load: A comprehensive review of passive exosuits and resistance clothing. Wearable Technologies, 6, e11.

Jo, J., & Park, H. T. (2025). Battery-free head orientation measurement using passive RFID tags. Wearable Technologies, 6, e7.

Hawaii

 Lin, S. & Boorady L. (2025) Smart Textile Application from Market Analysis: A Comprehensive Review. Under Preparation.

Kansas

Graciano, C.*, & Wu, Y. (2025). An Investigation on Female Firefighters’ Challenges with Current Firefighting Turnout Coat and Pants. Trends in Textile Engineering & Fashion Technology.

Wu, Y., (2025). Beyond the Virtual: Embracing Tangible Innovations in Fashion Technology and Sustainability. Journal of Textile Engineering & Fashion Technology.

Minnesota
Yu, M. & Griffin, L. (2025) Fit Prediction for Filtering Facepiece Respirator Using 3D Face Shape. Applied Ergonomics, 131, 104667.

Zhang, M., Griffin, L., Li, R., & Song, G. (2025) Optimizing Firefighter Glove Fit: AI-Driven Solutions for Enhanced Safety. Fire Engineering PPE Supplement.

Segura Duque, V. & Griffin, L. (2025) A Comprehensive Taxonomy of Hand Envelopes and Clearances for Ergonomic Design. ASPIRE Conference Proceedings.
(Additional accepted and in-press works listed in original Minnesota document.)

Mississippi

Derafshi, M., Black, C., & Strawderman, L. (2025). Police officers’ uniform needs: an undershirt wear protocol. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2025.2455493

Gourley, K., Hagan, F., Talukder, A., Jose, B., Strawderman, L., Freeman, C., ... & Chander, H. (2024). Impact of different personal floatation devices during a simulated workload on physiological responses. In International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings (Vol. 16, No. 3, p. 271).

Kodithuwakku Arachchige, S. N. K., Chander, H., Ramsey, L. S., Knight, A. C., Wade, C., & Garner, J. C. (2025). The effects of multiple occupational footwear on static postural stability. Footwear Science, 17(2), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2025.2469180

Momotaz, F., Eike, R., Li, R., & Song, G. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Thermal Comfort and Antimicrobial Properties of Base Fabrics for Smart Socks as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Materials, 18(3), 572.

Strawderman, L., Jose, B., Burch, R., Saucier, D., Poudel, A., & Smith, B. (2025). Wearable Technology Hesitancy in Industrial Applications. IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 13(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/24725838.2024.2448686

Talukder, A., Freeman, C., Kobia, C., & Burch, R. F. (2025). Assessing Corrosion Effects on the Electrical Performance of Wearable Photovoltaic Cells: A Comparative Analysis of Current Consistency and Resistance. Materials, 18(2), 267.

New York

 Kong, D., Lin, A., Melissas, A, Stull, J., & Park, H. (2024). Design Considerations for Protective Boots for First Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents. Applied Ergonomics.

Goodge, K., Brown, D. E., Frey, M., & Baytar, F. (2025). Development of a Method to Evaluate the Dynamic Fit of Face Masks. Textiles, 5(1), 9.

Lin, A., Kao, C., & Park, H. (2024). A Modular Framework for Smart Garment Design. Clothing and Textile Research Journal.

North Carolina

 Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., Mcquerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). A comparative anthropometric analysis of US female firefighters versus the general female population. Journal of Safety Research.

Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). Anthropometric Evaluation of NFPA 1977 Sizing System for US Female Wildland Firefighters. Fire, 8(7), 270.
Feature Articles: Firefighter Nation and Crackyl Magazine.

Oklahoma

 Islam, M.M., Mandal, S., Schnitzler, E., Habeeb, A. M., Agnew, R. J., Petrova, A., Boorady, L. M. (2025). Wildfire smoke and firefighter safety: a review of toxic particle exposure, clothing performance and health implications. Fire and Materials.

Tushar, S. I., Mandal, S., Chowdhury, I. Z., Petrova. A., Boorady, L. M., Agnew, R. J., Kubicki, M., Parl, H., Larson, P. (2025). Characterizing the heat transfer performance of contaminated flame-resistant fabrics. Fire and Materials.
(Additional four journal papers listed in Oklahoma report.)

Washington

 Zhao, Z., Liu, W., & Liu, H. (2025). Flexible and Durable Direct Ink Writing 3D-Printed Conductive Fabrics for Smart Wearables. ACS Omega, 10(14), 14138–14149.

Scientific and Outreach Presentations

Florida
Extensive list including presentations at NFPA, FIERO, Techtextil, ITAA, PBS NOVA feature, and multiple international conferences (see full list in original report).

Georgia
ITAA Annual Conference, 2024, Long Beach, CA.
Techtextil North America, 2025, Atlanta, GA.

Hawaii
Lin, S. & Boorady, L. (2024). Male and Female Firefighter Safety: ECG Monitoring via Apparel. NC170 and AATCC Annual Meeting, Savannah, GA.

Kansas

N/A

Minnesota
Segura Duque, V., Griffin, L., Park, K., Tacheny, M., and others at HFES, ITAA, HCI International, and Women’s Equipment and Readiness events (2025).

Mississippi

Alam, S. M. R., Momotaz, F., Lee, J. & Kobia, C. (2025). Exploring user intentions toward smart health-sync apparel for diabetes and mobility support using Technology Acceptance Model approach. In International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings

Alam, S. M. R., Momotaz, F., & Lee, J. (2025). Sustainable Smart Adaptive Health-Sync Apparel for Diabetics with Mobility Disability. In International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings.

Alam, S. M. R., Momotaz, F., & Lee, J. (2025). Exploration of Market Opportunity of Biodegradable, Sensor-embedded Wearable Smart PPE Socks to Monitor Chronic Foot Conditions and Gait Abnormalities. NSF I-corp presentation.

Momotaz, F., Li, R., & Song, G. (2024, October). Evaluation of the cooling performance of various types of cooling mechanisms used in PPE garments to provide comfort and protection using the thermal manikin test. Presented in AATCC Textile Discovery Summit (October 6-8, 2024). Savannah, Georgia, USA. Oral presentation

Momotaz, F., & Hasan, M. R. (2024, November) Investigating public perception of smart clothing on Twitter using social network analysis. Presented at the ITAA Annual Conference (November 20-23, 2024). Long Beach, California, USA. Oral Presentation.

New York
Baytar, F., Lan, A. & McDermott, M. (2024, Sept 5–6). Maternity Personal Protective Coverall Design and Development. CLOTECH 2024, Dresden, Germany.

North Carolina
McQuerry, M., Kwon, C., Bolaji, J., & Qiu, Z. (2024). It’s Not Just the Measurements: What We Know About Gear for Women. Science to the Station Workshop, Emmitsburg, MD.
Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). Assessing Full-Body Measurement Accuracy of a Remote Body Scanner to Enhance PPE Fit for US Female Firefighters. HCI International Conference Proceedings.

Oklahoma
Six national and international presentations including ITAA Annual Conference (2025, Missouri, USA) and 13th International Manikin & Modelling Meeting (2025, North Carolina, USA).

Washington
Fiber Society Annual Spring Conference, 2025, Hong Kong, China.
ITAA Annual Conference, 2024, Long Beach, CA.
AATCC Discovery Summit, 2024, Savannah, GA.